Que relinquishes Black Mountain Masters lead

HUA HIN, Thailand – Angelo Que of the Philippines assembled a hard-earned even par 72 and had to relinquish the overall lead after the second round of the Black Mountain Masters on Friday. An up-and-down 38-34 card of four birdies and four bogeys at the picturesque Black Mountain Golf Club gave Que a seven-under 137, seven shots behind Korean Lee Sung, who turned in a monster eight-under 64 for a 130 total. The 32-year-old Que could not come up with the same performance that allowed him to share the lead on opening day. He started the second round with two bogeys in the first five holes. He quickly carved it out with birdies on the 11th and 13th. Disaster struck again, however, with consecutive bogeys that damaged his rally bid. Que did finish Nos. 16 and 17 with birdies, and the last hole with a par to salvage that 72. He was the only Filipino left standing as Juvic Pagunsan, Antonio Lascuna, Mars Pucay, Gerald Rosales, Michael Bibat and Jay Bayron were eliminated in the halfway cut. "You really can't be lucky all the time. I was a bit off-form today. It was a good thing I came through in the last three holes. Otherwise, it would have been worse," said Que. He was also saddened by the fact that all his countrymen – all of whom eyed a strong finale in the Asian Tour season – are heading home early. "That's how tough the life in the Asian Tour is. One can't be complacent," Que also said. Lascuna came close to joining the weekend rounds (76-146), only two off the middle cut score. Bibat had 71-147, with Rosales at 75-148, Bayron 76-150, Pucay 77-152, and Pagunsan (80-152). Lee, meanwhile, moved into pole position with his magnificent 64. He holds a two-stroke advantage over Thailand's Namchok Tantipokakul (64-132), Piya Swangarunporn (65-134) and Kiradech Aphibarnrat (66-135). The deaf-born Lee, who had a surgical implant in his right ear to help him hear partially, was delighted as headed to the 18th because of the applause of the gallery that gathered around as he finished the day. "The operation has changed my life. I’m enjoying my golf. I’ll try to shoot another 64 tomorrow," added Lee, who made three lengthy putts on his outward nine. – Adrian Flores, JVP, KY, GMANews.TV